Director’s Cut
Smart editing produces a dream bachelor pad for Direk Jerome Pobocan

 

Story Anna Gamboa Gan
Photography Mark Jacob

 

An esteemed TV director known for projects like May Bukas Pa and Maruja, Jerome Chavez Pobocan had always wanted to have his own accessible haven in the city. Having shared a home with sisters for quite a while, he felt it was time to have a place of his own and bought a loft unit in the outskirts of Quezon City, near San Juan. However, he knew that he had to redo the unit since he loved to cook and planned on entertaining friends whenever he could.

A couple of leads pointed him to Levi Sevilla, the brother of another TV director, a decorator and contractor whose knowledge of construction’s nitty-gritties enable him to produce ingenious and inexpensive solutions.

Tackling the problematic kitchen, which had only a sink and no counter, Levi designed a mixed kitchen/dining area that would greet visitors as soon as they stepped into the unit. He created storage spaces above and below a kitchen counter running one length of a wall, designated a corner for the cooktop and microwave, and placed a good exhaust fan leading out the same vent created for the airconditioning unit. A movable kitchen table was made to allow Jerome to have the free space needed when he has guests and small get-togethers.

In constant communication with Jerome, it was easy for Levi to conceptualize the layout. The loft was originally much smaller, but with Levi’s know-how, it was extended safely to accommodate additional floor space for Jerome to relax on the upper level and look out his window at the green expanse of trees and the San Juan reservoir below.

Customized cabinetry can be found throughout the loft: under or near beds, or even handily in the risers of the steps leading to the loft (and near the front door, to make use of what was previously dead space). Beds are made to fit the proportions of the room and to accommodate special needs. For instance, the master bed has a concealed work area behind the headboard, while the guest’s bed has plenty of shelving nearby.

 

More of Direk Jerome Pobocan’s bachelor pad and Condo Life in Condo Living, Volume 5, No. 2, 2010.